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January 23, 2021

Trust and Respond

David J. Fetterman   |   Read Psalm 62:5-8

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Lectionary Week
January 18–24, 2021
Scripture Overview

Things are not always as they seem. To Jonah, the people of Nineveh seem beyond hope, so he runs away rather than going to preach to them. But God has other plans. To Jonah’s surprise, the Ninevites turn to God. In our eyes, social standing and wealth may seem to divide people into different classes, but the psalmist declares that in God’s economy all are equal. Paul echoes the theme of the temporary nature of all things in this life; they should not be our source of security. Jesus opens his ministry in Mark by proclaiming that God is breaking into history to overthrow what has been accepted as the way things are. Sometimes God’s perspective is not our perspective.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Jonah 3:1-10. Can you think of a time when you sensed God calling you to do something you didn’t want to do? How did you respond?
Read Psalm 62:5-12. How have you experienced God’s “awesome deeds” in your life? What is your response?
Read 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. What distracts you from focusing on God? How might you reorder your priorities?
Read Mark 1:14-20. What might have led Simon, Andrew, James, and John to immediately stop what they were doing and follow Jesus? Are there things that make you hesitate in following Jesus’ call to you?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 62:5-8

5 Oh, I must find rest in God only, because my hope comes from him! 6 Only God is my rock and my salvation my stronghold!—I will not be shaken. 7 My deliverance and glory depend on God. God is my strong rock. My refuge is in God. 8 All you people: Trust in him at all times! Pour out your hearts before him! God is our refuge! Selah

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

A Refuge to Trust

When I was a church-camp counselor, one of our activities was to take our campers for a “trust walk” in the woods. We would divide the campers into pairs. The pairs then walked—one of each pair with eyes open leading the way and the other with...

Trustworthy God, thank you for being my refuge. I know that your love will never let me go. Give me confidence to follow you even when the road is long and difficult. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


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